A large hotel in the extreme south of the Shetland Mainland, Sumburgh Hotel overlooks the West Voe of Sumburgh, 20 miles (32 km) south southwest of Lerwick. It is supported by its proximity to Sumburgh Airport, providing accommodation for air crews as well as passengers. The world-renowned archaeological site of Jarlshof lies adjacent, while another archaeological site, Old Scatness Broch and Iron Age Village, is located a mile (1.5 km) to the northwest. This Scots Baronial edifice was built in 1867 by David Rhind (1808-83), as Sumburgh House, home of the Bruces of Sumburgh. The house comprises two storeys, constructed in sandstone ashlar, featuring decorative down-pipes and a distinctive purple slate roof. The Bruces left in the early years of the 20th C. and the house was converted for use as a hotel by W. Laidlaw McDougall, who had been the Bruce's factor. The hotel was extended with utilitarian blocks to the rear in the 1970s to cope with the increase in business due to the oil boom, while the main building was B-listed in 1997. Chalets were added in front of the hotel in 2006.
